Poynton Conservatives are concerned that the Royal Mail included Hockley Post Office as one of 67 that they want to close in the Stockport and Manchester postal areas. This is part of Gordon Brown’s plan to “modernise” the Post Office by closing 2,500 shops across the country. We believe that this is a bad idea for the following reasons:

• A large area of the village and all of Higher Poynton are more than a mile from the Chester Road Post Office, so cutting off many people from this important service.
• The Chester Road Post Office is often busy and this will lead to even longer queues.
• Many more people will travel by car to the village centre.
• There will be increased pollution and parking problems in the centre of Poynton.

The Royal Mail has only allowed a limited period for public comment. Please could people write to Richard Lynds, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM, or email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk or call the Customer Helpline: 08457 22 33 44 by 21st July 2008.

 

Tesco: Appeal Withdrawn
Many people have welcomed the news that Tesco have withdrawn their appeal against rejection of their planning application for a supermarket on London Road South. This vindicates the decision by the Parish Council, ratified by Macclesfield Borough Council, to recommend refusal on specific grounds relating to planning law.

Several people have asked us what will happen to the site. This is clearly a decision for the owner. At present, the area is zoned in the Local Plan as a “secondary shopping area”, which fits the current use as a petrol filling station and car showroom. However, our councillors will be asking Macclesfield Borough’s Planning Department to look at the future zoning of the site when the Local Plan is next revised.

 

Manchester Congestion Charge
We are pleased to hear that the government has backed down and agreed that councils and residents of areas outside Greater Manchester will be consulted over the proposed congestion charge. This would cost Poynton residents working in central Manchester up to £5 a day just to go to work.

While this income may be spent on improvements to public transport, none of the proposed new Metrolink lines goes anywhere near Poynton or Stockport. Also, the original Metrolink routes from Altrincham and Bury to Manchester were built under a Conservative government, without the need to impose extra taxes on motorists.